Welcome to North Alabama Veterinary Orthopedics (NAVO)
Meet Dr. Pearlman
Dr. Pearlman is a skilled veterinarian who is passionate about providing high quality orthopedic care for the common orthopedic conditions affecting companion animals. Such conditions include fractures of all long bones and pelvis, cranial cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, severe sprains, luxations and more on a case-by-case basis.
Accessible and Affordable
NAVO partners with local veterinarians and shelters/ rescues to provide access to high- quality, affordable, competent clinical and surgical services. By providing surgical services in-house NAVO will allow patients to receive care in a way that is both convenient and affordable.
Advanced Technology
NAVO is equipped with multiple treatment modalities to address a wide variety of orthopedic conditions. Locking and dynamic compression plating, intramedullary pinning and external skeletal fixation are the more common methods utilized to treat our patients.
Serving at clinic(s) near you
Personalized Consultation and Treatment
NAVO believes strongly that good communication along with an individual treatment plan for every patient maximizes patient outcomes. All patients and pet parents receive a personal consultation with their physician. Additionally, parents may continue to consult with Dr. Pearlman at any time.
256-541-9279
Reid L Pearlman DVM
North Alabama Veterinary Orthopedics
Cranial Cruciate Ligament/ ACL tear Surgery
The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is the "gold standard" procedure to address lameness due to cranial cruciate ligament disease in canine patients. It is especially useful in addressing cruciate ligament disease in patients that are large and/ or very active.
Naturally, a slope exists between the tibia and the femur. This slope causes the femur to slide off of the back of the tibia much like a ball rolling down a hill. Most patients will have a slope between 25-35 degrees at the knee joint between these two bones. The cranial cruciate ligament is the structure between the femur and the tibia that prevents the femur from falling/ rolling off the back of the tibia. Without the cranial cruciate ligament intact, this sliding motion, called "thrust" or "drawer" will produce the classic lameness associated with cruciate disease. Additionally, continual thrust motion will accelerate degenerative joint disease and will also predispose to tearing the meniscus, multiplying lameness and pain.
The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) directly addresses the problematic slope at the knee joint by eliminating it. The portion of the tibia which articulates with the femur is cut and the cut portion is rotated until the slope is between 5-7 degrees. Once the slope has been reduced, a plate is applied to hold the bone rigidly in place. Rather than repairing the torn cruciate ligament, we aim to reduce the slope enough in the patient that the ligament becomes redundant.
In effect, we have taken the ball(femur) rolling down a hill (knee joint) scenario and reduced it to a ball lying on a flat surface- it will no longer roll.
North Alabama Veterinary Orthopedics is experienced in diagnosing cruciate ligament disease. NAVO is professionally trained and equipped to perform the TPLO procedures for a wide range of patients as well as address complications.
ACL/ CCL Surgery TPLO in Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Guntersville, Scottsboro North Alabama
Patella Luxation
Tibial Tuberosity Transposition (TTT)
The quadriceps muscle, which inserts onto the tibial tuberosity, often deviates the patella (kneecap) from within the groove due to the muscle insertion being medial or lateral (left/ right) to the groove as opposed to being directly beneath the groove. This pulls the patella out of the groove. The surgical correction for this issue is to move the insertion point of the quadriceps muscle to directly beneath the groove, aligning the patella to lie within the groove.
Trochlear Wedge Sulcoplasty
Many of these patients will benefit from an additional procedure, which is performed at the same time as the TTT, that deepens the groove. Over time, repeated luxation of the patella will wear down the ridge on one side of the groove to the point that the groove becomes flat or even convex shaped. Restoring the normal concavity to the groove in which the patella should sit will further aid in preventing future luxation.
Fracture Fixation
Finesse Repair in Small Patients
Success in cases destined for amputation/ euthanasia
Finesse Repair in Small Patients
Pictured 10 pound feline with plated radius/ ulna fracture.
Experienced Repair in Trauma
Success in cases destined for amputation/ euthanasia
Finesse Repair in Small Patients
Competently address patient's soft tissue and orthopedic injuries resulting from being hit by a car.
Success in cases destined for amputation/ euthanasia
Success in cases destined for amputation/ euthanasia
Success in cases destined for amputation/ euthanasia
NAVO exists to serve North Alabama's people and pets by providing essential orthopedic services that are more accessible and affordable.
Surgical Fixation
North Alabama Veterinary Orthopedics is equipped and ready to serve Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Guntersville and Scottsboro clinics when it comes to patients who have suffered fractures and require surgery. Patients from outside of these areas- Athens, Jasper, Gadsden, Cullman, Birmingham, Nashville, etc are directed to clinics that we have partnered with to ensure that fractures are repaired.
Fractures are considered an orthopedic emergency and NAVO is prepared to address these situations efficiently and effectively.
Our skilled team provides comprehensive care for fractures of the radius/ ulna, humerus, femur, tibia and pelvis. We'll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that gets your companion in for repair and back to normal activity as quickly as possible.
Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery in North Alabama
Call for consultation and estimated pricing
256-541-9279
Reid L Pearlman DVM
North Alabama Veterinary Orthopedics LLC